Where 2.5 million work: Understanding careers in UK finance and professional services

26 August 2026

The UK's finance and professional services sector is one of the country's largest graduate employers (TheCityUK, 2026). 

When planning your career, geographical location can be an important consideration. Different regions may offer varying opportunities depending on the industry, specialism and employer. 

While London remains a major hub for the sector, employment is distributed across the UK, with significant concentrations in Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh. Notably, around two-thirds of the workforce is based outside London (TheCityUK, 2026). 
   

Industry Sector	Sub-Sector	Workforce Numbers
Financial Services	Banking	388,000
Financial Services	Insurance	314,000
Financial Services	Fund Management	77,000
Financial Services	Other Financial Services	314,000
Financial Services Total		1,100,000 (1.1 million)
Related Professional Services	Management Consultancy	522,000
Related Professional Services	Accountancy	496,000
Related Professional Services	Legal Services	368,000
Related Professional Services Total		~1,400,000 (1.4 million)
Grand Total	All Ecosystem Workforce	~2,500,000 (2.5 million)

Data source: TheCityUK, "Key Facts About UK-Based Financial and Related Professional Services 2026." Reproduced for non-commercial student instruction. 
 
What does this mean for you? 

The finance and professional services sector offers a wide range of career opportunities for graduates, extending beyond traditional banking roles. Opportunities exist across areas including banking, investment, accounting, consulting, insurance, risk, technology, data and financial services. 

When exploring career options, consider: 

• Which area of the sector interests you? For example, do you enjoy working with clients, analysing data, solving business problems, managing risk or understanding markets?  

• Which skills do employers value? Different areas of finance require different combinations of technical knowledge, commercial awareness and transferable skills.  

• Where are opportunities located? While London remains a major financial centre, employers recruit across the UK, including hubs such as Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh.  

The eFinancialCareers student guide introduces key areas within finance and professional services, including what professionals do and the skills employers typically seek.  

 

Sectors, Job roles and example employers 

*Depending on experience, you may wish to search for Analyst, Associate, or Senior Associate roles 

Sector	Typical Roles	Example Employers
Investment Banking	Analyst, M&A Associate, Equity Research	JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Barclays
Asset & Wealth Management	Portfolio Analyst, ESG Analyst, Investment Strategist	BlackRock, Schroders, Fidelity
FinTech and Digital Finance	Product Analyst, Data Analyst, Payments Consultant	Revolut, Wise, Starling Bank
Consulting & Advisory	Economic Consultant, Strategy Associate, Risk Advisor	EY, PwC, Frontier Economics
Regulation & Policy	Regulatory Analyst, Economics, Policy Advisor	FCA, Bank of England, HM Treasury
ESG & Sustainable Finance	ESG Analyst, Climate Risk Consultant	MSCI, S&P Global, Asset Managers

 

It is also worth remembering that, in the UK, many graduate roles do not require a specific degree subject. While some roles (for example, certain technical or professional pathways) may require specific qualifications or knowledge, many employers recruit graduates from a wide range of academic backgrounds. 

This means that if you discover an interest in an area outside of finance and professional services, you may still be able to explore opportunities in that sector. To be successful, you will need to demonstrate your motivation for the sector and develop relevant skills, knowledge and experiences that show employers your suitability. 

We recommend exploring the Prospects website if you are unsure of the roles or sectors you are interested in. You can research individual job profiles or sectors that interest you and even find out the types of jobs you can do with your MSc degree. 

 

We’re here to support you!  

Feeling confused about what role might be right for you? Our Careers and Enterprise Team have a range of support to help you explore your career options.